I installed an extra amp in my car and now something is not right. it wines when i accelerate. I used a Hi/low output converter but i did not use the ground on it. should i use the ground the cancel out the noise or is there a better way. Oh yeah, i am using the stock head unit.

 

I annoyes the hell out of me. Maybe i will get some 4 gauge wire and make a better ground for the alternator. Like the ones matt blehm sells. I hope that this will help fix it.

 

i heard u get the noise when you run the power wires on the same side as the speaker wires... btw u have it too... but i didnt do my install... heard radio shack has sumtin for it

 

I guess i will have to rerun my speaker wires...what a PITA

 

Usually this problem is a ground issue. Make sure you have a good ground at the amp and the ground wire should be no longer than 1.5 ft. It is true that you should run your RCA's on the opposite side than the power wire. Another thing you might try is ground the radio at the amp this sometimes helps prevent a ground loop. One more place that could cause this porblem is in the amp itself. If you have the amp turned all the way to max it can create noise try turning it down just a notch. hope this helps.

 

Ok. I read up and plenty of sites have said taht the RCA's should always been ran as far away from teh power cable as possible. I am going to rerun my power cable and see what happens. Also should i use the grounds on my hi/low output converters.

 

When i do installs i usually dont use the ground in convertors. But try it out it might cure the problem. But the RCA's on same side as the power wire are most likely a big reason for the problem.

 

Your noise is probably not coming from the power wires and speaker wires running together. It is the RCA's and power cables that you want to avoid running together. However, it is more likely your RCA's as they tend to pick up the interference and then amplify them. However, your steps for troubleshooting the problem is to first check out the converter as the cheap ones tend to do this alot. Make sure that the RCA's are totally taped off from each other. Try placing the coverter in different places behind the dash. This can sometimes work as it did in my 5.0 when I was running a cheap converter. At the same time I would run the RCA's on top of the carpet and move it around as the system is playing. You may be able to hear interference coming in and out as the cables are moved. When you find the run with the least interference make it the path for the RCA's, under the carpet of course. If you are still haveing trouble, contact Audio Control.

http://www.audiocontrol.com/

These folks have some of the best stuff out there to hook up a stock deck with aftermarket amps. If you can't afford this, and nothing seems to work, try to upgrade your converter.

Make sure tht your amp is grounded using the same guage wire that is powering it and make sure that it is 18" or less. You may also want to run an additional ground to the front of the vehicle. My PPI 1800 requires the additional ground.

Good Luck. The Car Audio Cookbook may be another alternative to help you diagnois your problem.

 

I am running 8 gauge wire for ground on and power. I am using a Tsunami converter and a Pac converter. i am running 2 amps and using the line out for the input of the amp i am using for my sub.

 

Can you make your explanation a bit more clear. Do you have a 8 guage for each amp or is it just one 8 guage running from the battery to the rear of the car? How does each amp get its signal? Is there a converter for each amp? Do your rca cables leave one amp and enter the other or are you running separate rca cables for each amp?

 

I am running an 8 gauge from the battery to a distribution block. I am then running 8 gauge to both amps from the distribution block(made by tsunami). I have 2 line output converters behind my head unit. i then run the two sets of RCA's to my 4 channel amp. i run a set of RCA from the output of my 4 channel to the input of my 2 channel(for my sub). I am running the Power wire, the speaker wire and the RCAs through the left hand side of the car(i.e. underneath the removable plastic pieces in the door frame). I have both of the ground for the amps running to the same place on the frame. (both are using 8 gauge wire). my Remote signal wire for the amps is 18 gauge and is split to both amps. I am running infinity reference speakers all the way around and a kicker sub. my sub amp is a rockford phosgate punch 40 2xchannel bridged into 1. My for channel is a Clarion. I forget the spec.s but is pushing 65 watts RMS to each speaker. i have a 40 amp fuse for the power wire connected no more than a foot away from it.

 

First things first. Separate your wiring. The power and ground down the left side and your RCA's down the right or middle, whichever gives you less interference. I would run a 4 guage to the dist block and then two 8's to the amps. Out of all the amps that I have owned, my fosgates gave me the most interference. You may also want to braid your RCA's as they run to the rear of the car. Some people even go as far to tape them up for more isolation.

Troubleshoot by running the rca's directly into the Fosgate and see what happens. Bypass the Clarion.

By the way, you should be placing your in-line fuse closer to the battery than to the amp.

Play with your gains a little. The rule of thumb is to turn your radio to its half-way point and then set the gains to a normal listening level.

Get yourself a copy of the Car Audio Cookbook and read about ground loops. This is a good book to have in your library.

Good luck, I hope that some of this info helps as we all hate that alternator whine.